Wisdom Teeth Extraction: What to Expect

Wisdom Teeth Extraction: What to Expect

By admin August 24th
One of the most common procedures that oral surgeons treat is wisdom tooth extraction (removal). In fact, it’s estimated that Americans have over 10 million wisdom teeth removed every year!

For some people, wisdom teeth can be very painful and can cause other oral problems if left unchecked. At Elko Dental Specialists in Elko, Nevada, our awesome team of oral surgeons works together to make sure each patient receives the best treatments possible; our goal is to make the whole process of pulling wisdom teeth seem less like… well, less like pulling teeth.

If you think that you or your child may need wisdom teeth extraction, here’s what you should know:

Why Wisdom Teeth Are Removed

Wisdom teeth (aka third molars) are the last permanent teeth to appear in the mouth. They usually grow between the ages of 17 and 25, although some people never develop wisdom teeth.

Some people don’t have any problems when their wisdom teeth grow in, but many people develop impacted wisdom teeth (teeth that don’t have room to develop or grow in normally). Impacted wisdom teeth can grow in at an angle towards teeth, can grow sideways, or stay stuck inside the jawbone. This can cause several issues, including:
- Pain
- Infections
- Cavities
- Gum disease
- Development of cysts around the wisdom tooth
- Damage to a nearby tooth or the surrounding bone
- Complications with orthodontic treatments
Many people used to think that they needed their wisdom teeth extracted as a preventative measure. Today, many dentists feel that if wisdom teeth grow correctly and they don’t cause pain, infection, or other symptoms, removal may not be necessary. Schedule an appointment with our oral surgeons at Elko Dental Specialists to determine what’s best for you or your child.

The Day of Surgery

Wisdom teeth extraction is a relatively simple procedure. At Elko Dental Specialists, we perform our extractions right here in our state-of-the-art office. During the procedure, you may receive local anesthesia to numb your mouth, and/or general anesthesia to fall asleep. Local anesthesia is delivered through shots to a small, specific (local) part of the body. General anesthesia is usually delivered through a gas (with a mask) or medication (through an IV). The surgeon may have to cut your gums or bone to remove the wisdom teeth. If they do, they will stitch the wounds shut (the stitches will usually dissolve after a few days) and use gauze pads to stop the bleeding. The whole procedure usually takes about 45 minutes or less, depending on how many wisdom teeth will be removed.

After Surgery

Once the surgery is complete, it’s important that you get home safely. If you only received local anesthesia, you should be good to drive yourself, as it doesn’t make you feel sleepy or drowsy. If general anesthesia was used, you will need someone to drive you home. You may be prescribed pain medication to help with any soreness or discomfort; follow any instructions about taking medication carefully. Generally, we recommended scheduling the first few days off from work or school while you recover.

You may experience slight bleeding for the first 24 hours; gently biting down on clean gauze pads periodically will soak up any blood. If you still experience bleeding after the first 24 hours, give our office a call at (775) 753-6118. Most people have swelling and discomfort for the first few days, and it may take a week or so to feel better. The surgical wounds can take a few months to heal completely, so make sure to take good care of your oral hygiene and keep the wounds clean.

Encouraging Speedy Recovery After Removal

While recovery can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, there are plenty of things you can do to help speed things up. This includes:
- Using an ice pack on your face to help with swelling
- Using moist heat (a rag soaked in warm water, for example) for a sore jaw
- Gently opening and closing your mouth periodically to exercise your jaw muscles
- Eating soft or liquid foods like pasta, rice, soup, or yogurt (avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods until you heal completely)
- Carefully brushing your teeth and gently rinsing so that you don’t aggravate your surgical wounds
- Doing salt gargles or rinses to help with soreness or inflammation (just be gentle)
- Avoiding straws when drinking. The suction may loosen blood clots that help your mouth heal.
- Avoiding smoking, which slows the healing process and can cause infections in your surgical wounds
At Elko Dental Specialists, we pride ourselves on offering virtually every dental specialty under one roof. Our team of orthodontists, pediatric dentists, endodontists, oral surgeons, periodontists, and prosthodontists all collaborate to offer the best possible care for our patients, and create a one-stop-shop for all your dental and orthodontic needs. To see why so many people all over Elko, Ely, Eureka, and northern Nevada trust us with their smiles, give us a call at (775) 753-6118 today or schedule a free initial consultation.
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